Once Upon A Time In Equestria

by L Pondera

Somewhere Beyond The Sea

Author's Note:

Two in a day. Here's the real beginning, and here is the theme for this chapter along with an ending theme here. Once more, just a director's cut extra. As you might guess in the future, some of these stories are going to be based in some measure on the theme song/picture. Mostly just a bunch of short stories detailing some interactions with Vera, shaded to her world view.

Once Upon A Time In Manehatten...

She stepped off the boat, it's thick plumes of smoke from the boiler floated off into nothingness high above her head. The rusty bulk of the repurposed commercial fishing ship gently bobbed in the water. It's real name, a questionable one at that, was hidden beneath a false one dubbing it the "Mary Sue Your Flank Off". It's captain, Torn Net, was an old friend and former colleague, a real stern sort and thorough bred sailor.

True to his name, he never could catch a fish or anything for that matter. So he turned to the black-market, transporting international goods. One of the few who even knew where Matavita was. That is to say, Vera's homeland, the continent of Matavita, all the way on the other side of the world.

She walked up the dock, towards the commercial shipping district of Manehatten, a very familiar place. One she had visited several times while working for the once notorious Applereti Mafia. Her and her cousin had spent too much time working for them, doing far too many questionable things. She still felt a bit of guilt about that. At least now, she had far nobler causes, one of them driving her to secretly flee her country, in search of a solution to better it's tomorrow.

She expected to see some familiar faces along her journey, and plenty of new ones. Some she was dreading, particularly some bad characters from her homeland, looking to spread some sort of corruption to Equestria.

"Well now, isn't this a pleasant surprise." Came a familiar and welcome voice.

"Yep, it's me. Back for more. How have you been Korra?" Vera smiled her fangs spooking a nosy dock worker.

"I've been well, trying to keep that old salt out of trouble." Korra replied with her own broad smile.

Korra Had, the first mate and only other real crew of Torn Net's ship. She was a slight built zebra with slightly curved stripes, her mane rose then halfway up lazily fell to the left like a tired mohawk. Her glistening amber eyes shone with an unrivaled optimism among sailors. She was not superstitious, surprising given she was both a sailor and zebra.

"He's not thinking of making another trip to bug those dragons, is he?" Vera asked with a raised brow, glancing back at the ship.

"Not yet, let's hope he has forgotten about it. Hate to see them burn even more than the top deck." Korra laughed. "So what about you? Are you here to cause trouble?"

"No, not this time. Trying to prevent it really, some scum from back home may have wandered over here, so I'll be keeping an eye out for them." Vera responded, then in a more sober tone; "I'm really here because of that dream of his."

Korra's face fell. "Right, him. I'm really sorry about what happened to your cousin, he was a great stallion, even if he didn't think so. You guys were just doing what you had to do."

Vera nodded.

"I know, but that doesn't make it right. Which is why I have to do this. He gave up everything in the hopes of ending the endless cycle of war and suffering back home. He was certain Equestria had the answer." Vera somberly replied.

"You don't owe anyone anything V. All the same, I know no one could talk you out of this. If I can help in any way, don't even bother asking, I'll do whatever you need. Old salty too." Korra said with Japonese anime levels of determination.

"Glad to know I can count on you, and Net, even if he doesn't know it." Vera grinned, feeling the contagious hope of Korra.

They walked off, leaving Net to his quarters where he would sleep for an unknown amount of time. Heading towards a little diner not far from the docks. A usual spot for them since they first came to Equestria. Belle's Burgers was one of the very rare omnivore's diners in all of Equestria, serving all manner of food for the many varied species of visitors to Manehatten.

They entered the diner, a tinkling bell announcing their arrival. They were greeted with a sloppy cheer from several frequent visitors who recognized them. Belle's face poked in from the kitchen window, her scaly face contorted into a grin as she gave a loud squee of excitement.

"I'll be right there you two!" Belle shouted to them before disappearing into the kitchen.

Belle was a very sparky and quirky dragoness, her violet scales, tan belly and crimson spikes were the welcome sight to many species who had a hard time finding something more their taste. Her satin eyes could peer right through your soul, and her size kept many customers in check.

They plopped down in the normal booth, listening to the sound of metallic cookware clash and clang as Belle worked her way to the kitchen door.

"Move it Leek!" She shouted as she flung open the kitchen door with dangerous speed.

"Hi Belle." Vera said with a wave of her hoof.

"Well skin my hide and make me a pair of shoes! I haven't seen you in years! Glad you're back." Belle boomed as she walked over.

"Yep, there was kinda another war." Vera sheepishly replied.

"Another? GEEZ! They sure don't like peace over there do they? Always making a ruckus! I suppose Wubby was right." Belle was talking, then her face contorted into one of shock.

Vera maintained composure, though she was silent as she stared at the empty spot next to her where her cousin once sat. Korra also looked at the empty seat, then to Vera, her own face marked with concern.

"Not even two minutes go by and I've already stepped on my own tail! I'm sorry V, I just..." Belle trailed off.

"It's alright. Sure it can be hard, being back here and all. But I've moved on. It's okay, honestly, so don't worry." Vera comforted.

"You two always were too proud and tuff for your own good. I'm sad to see that empty spot, not as sad as you'll ever be I know, but still." Belle sighed. "So what will it be, the usual?" She cautiously inquired.

"Something light actually, I've got a lot of ground to cover." Vera replied.

"I see, shame you won't be sticking around, but I get it, got a lot to do." Belle replied with a soft nod, looking to Korra who gave a nod in return.

"I'll have a usual." Korra announced to Belle as she began to make her way back to the kitchen.

She looked a Vera for a few seconds, choosing her next words carefully.

"Are you going to be alright? We could always take it to go." She asked Vera.

"He wouldn't want me being sad about it. If he could he would punch me for even trying to pity him." Vera quickly said.

"You can't help how you feel." Korra interjected.

"I feel a little sad, sad he's gone. But I also feel pride. In the end, he really was a great pony, and that's how he'd want to be remembered. So I try to do that." Vera smiled, her eyelids a bit heavy and her tone slightly mournful.

"Okay, just checking." Korra said, letting herself smile again.

The meal was a quiet one, Korra spent most of it trying not to remind Vera of her cousin. She was also trying not to remind herself. The last ride they had all gone on was years ago. He had been very quiet when she and Net had picked him up. Once they got Vera at their next stop, he immediately brought Vera into the galley. From there, they had a very long conversation, Korra hadn't intended to eavesdrop on it, so she didn't hear much of it. But she did hear him talking about going home, quitting the Applereti's organization and making a go of improving life back home.

They paid their bill and left, leaving a waving Belle behind, her face had a smile, but her eyes were somber. Their steps in unintended sync, they made their way deeper into Manehatten. The streets hadn't changed, but that was about all that stayed the same.

"So, how is filing paperwork going? Net mentioned something about you being trapped in that tiny little office." Vera broke the silence.

"That, yeah, it's been very boring. Net hasn't been taking care of his paperwork since he started. If we are ever going to go legit, we have to get all of that sorted." Korra replied, glad to have a new subject in her head.

"It'll all be worth though." Vera assured.

"I sure hope so, Net is worried we won't be able to break even." Korra said.

She recalled all Net had done for her, an orphaned zebra living at the docks of Saddle Arabia. He offered her a job working on his ship, offered to teach her how to sail. To teach her how to escape from the lonely solitude of being rooted to the same docks. She became an expert navigator and helms mare, surpassing Net in all but commerce skill. He could strike a deal with a dragon to transport it's horde. She owed that pale red coated sea foam green mane'd salt everything. And she could guess that he had been grateful to have her around, as a surrogate daughter. He would never openly admit it, but he more proud of her than anything else in his life.

Once they reached the transit center of Manehatten, Korra hugged Vera goodbye before heading back to the docks, she had to make sure Net didn't sleep through the night without a meal.

Vera adjusted her camo saddlebags, thinking about how her cousin would wear his father's old military saddlebags. Now she had a pair of her own. Had it not been for that day in the capital, they might have been in the same unit together, keeping each other alive. She would have made certain he survived, if only she could have been by his side.

"Nice to see you made it." Came a slightly shrill voice off to her right.

"Good to see you again Alter." Vera said, picking herself up to look as regal and powerful as possible.

The changeling emerged from the shadows, stopping to give her one of his very low bows.

"Anything for you Mistress." Alter cooed in his high yet raspy voice.

Years ago, she had encountered this small hive of changelings, their queen had long vanished leaving them to fend for themselves. Alter had taken charge with his sharp mind and brutal strength. He was the same size as a buff pony, his gleaming exoskeleton and greenish-yellow wings and eyes glowed with pride.

They were being plagued by a massive leviathan beast and it's raiding party of followers. Known only as Al Breach, simply because it would pop out of nowhere and begin attacking while the raiding party snatched up everything in sight. The leviathan was in fact a Monolith, massive stone shelled monsters that roamed the Arcanian Desert. Following this normally nomadic creature was a small band of Tusken raiders, an odd bipedal race of horned nomads. They kept themselves wrapped in cloths and wore mask over their horned heads. A single pair of tusk could be seen poking out beneath their mask.

Happening upon a raid, she had intervened. Using some unknown magic to blast the Monolith, then her ferocious stare and growl to frighten it off. The raiders charged her, even with their staffs and clubs, they were no match for her. Her visage and prowess both awed and terrified Alter, who saw in her the perfect predator, the apex of creatures upon the planet. That primal terror he felt was mixed with admiration for her, and with their enemies driven off, he pledged the hive to her, declaring her their new queen. To which she refused. She gave them a new home, free residence on an island her family owned, still refusing to be their new queen.

All the same, they would faithfully do anything she asked of them. Even though she only wanted them to live out their lives, they would constantly hound her, seeking to serve her in some way. Until she finally had a thought. She selected Alter to be her servant, at beck and call whenever she needed him. It worked well enough to keep the hive from bugging her, no pun intended.

"I need you to do something for me, it's a pretty big task, and it might take a long time, but it's important. Do you accept?" She announced, looking down to Alter and his statuesque form.

"Anything you wish Mistress, I am at your command." Alter unblinkingly replied.

She could never tell exactly why he was so loyal to her, why he treated her like she was his queen. She always pondered if he had an ulterior motive of some kind, yet, each time his reverence of her was unquestioningly like that of a drone to the queen. It always made her somewhat uneasy, not that he could tell. Only that she seemed to despise giving orders.